Relationship between lifestyle habits and blood pressure in Japanese high school students: a student-driven...

This cross-sectional observational study investigates the relationship between lifestyle habits and blood pressure in 244 Japanese high school students from Kogakukan High School. The mean blood pressure was 119.5 ± 11.3/71.3 ± 9.5 mmHg, with 9% of participants meeting the criteria for hypertension (≥ 140/85 mmHg). Hypertensive students had a shorter sleep duration than non-hypertensive students (P = 0.050). Multivariate analysis revealed that systolic blood pressure was significantly associated with male sex (β = -0.274, P < 0.001) and higher body mass index (β = 0.261, P < 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure was significantly influenced by female sex (β = 0.166, P < 0.001) and sugar intake (β = 0.152, P = 0.028). No significant associations were found with salt score, caffeine consumption, or aerobic exercise. These findings highlight the influence of sex, body mass index, dietary sugar, and sleep duration on adolescent blood pressure regulation, emphasizing the need for early lifestyle interventions to mitigate hypertension risk. Relationship between Lifestyle and Blood Pressure Levels in Japanese High School Students. Hypertensive students had shorter sleep durations; systolic blood pressure levels were associated with BMI and male sex, and diastolic blood pressure levels were linked to sugar intake and female sex. BMI, body mass index; HT, hypertension.